The Horizon Trilogy
MAIN CHARACTERS
Meet The Curse of Phantom Wood main characters!
Turga
A very large and muscular minotaur (half bull - half man) warrior. He escaped his homeland and his family in unfortunate circumstances and has discarded the ways of his people. His escape has haunted him ever since and he often sees himself as a failure for not living as all minotaur do as barbaric, raiding warriors. He is brave, sometimes careless but unquestioningly loyal to his friends and those he cares for. He is fueled by a rage that is often unrestrained, dark and brutal. He fights with his ancestral great axe with the words "Death Be Honor" inscribed on its blade.
Lady Kalhisa (aka E-sa)
An elven princess of the forest realm called Five Points. A natural born sorceress, capable of immense power. A power she struggles to contain and master. She is beautiful, intelligent and adventurous. She wants nothing more than to break the bonds of her royal nature and roam the world in search to answers to all the hidden mysteries she has heard about during her childhood. She carries a staff which helps her control the magic within.
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Talon
A half elf ranger. Slender, muscular and good looking (long blond hair and green eyes). A natural athlete and lover of the outdoors. He is an explorer by nature. But for all of his attributes, he is tormented by his mixed blood and has spent his adulthood searching for his true identity. He is a leader but doubts his leadership. He only wishes for peace and happiness but can't seem to find it as it always is just out of reach and because of this, his mind is never at rest. He fights with a longsword and longbow. His ability with his longbow is legendary as he could hit a fly on top of an apple without leaving a nick on the fruit.
Otter Stoutfoot
He was born a Runt, a race of very small humanoids. He is rambunctious, curious and overly friendly with a knack of getting into trouble. He is easy to identify with red mangled hair and long lynx-like sideburns. He grew up an orphan and honed his abilities to survive on the streets of the rugged and dangerous city of Waterhole. He can pick a lock or pickpocket the most perceptive person in an instant, skills that keep him busy and provide a much needed distraction from his lonely thoughts. Otter feels alone in the world and only desires to find a family.
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LOCATIONS OF ZABERNIA
Click any pin on the map to read a description of that location!
Explore each location!
(alphabetical order)
Belkohm Bay
Large bay on the west coast. The coastline is uninhabited and rarely visited except for the Green Valley Elves who investigate the rare appearance of strange sea creatures who venture on land.
Caves of Blackmoor
Hidden amongst the surrounding hills of Judgment Mountain and the location of dreadful witchcraft. The Witches of Eddygog hide within the elaborate cave system.
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Docslover
A small run down town on the east coast. Mostly fishermen and artisans live in the decrepit village.
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Eddygog
Hills as old as the original Gods. A maze of dark underground chambers connecting the many caves that pocket the rough terrain.
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Five Points
Home to half of the Elven nation. Located in the forest of Five Points. Surrounded by five villages, each home to a separate tribe. Fey and other wild creatures live within the forest.
Forsaken Jungles
Thick jungle region northeast of the U-sa forest. Full of dangerous and unknown creatures. Humanoids avoid the region due to the legends of flesh craving monsters.
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Gimrigg Mountains
Mountainous region in the midwest portion of Zabernia. Home to subterranean Dwarves. Giants roam the cliffs and terrorize those who wander within their territory.
Green Valley
Home to half of the Elven nation. Rolling hills and lush grasslands.
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Isle of Karnout
Island off the north eastern shores of Zabernia and home to the barbaric race of Minotaurs. Great white cliffs surround the perimeter of the island.
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Judgement Mountain
The tallest mountain in Zabernia. The summit is home to the mystical creature called the Mauphin. The mountain and the Mauphin are believed to be connected by forces far beyond the knowledge of mortals.
Kingdom of Ja
Island off the west coast of Zabernia. Overgrown by the strange creatures called Tree Warts who hide ancient knowledge and magic from the rest of the world.
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Lake of Tears
A lake of unknown depths. Legend says a great ravine was filled by the tears of forgotten Gods who left the world in times of strife and violence.
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Lost Lands
Primeval region, lost in time. Rocky, overgrown and treacherous for most life except for the feral creatures that have adapted to the harsh conditions.
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Mystic Lake
Lake on the eastern side of the
U-sa Forest in a region called Wild Valley. Waters have strange magical powers which allow creatures to breathe underwater. Below the lake rest the Pits of Firedoom.
Newtown
Human capital city and location of the primeval Tower of Records. The largest settlement in Zabernia.
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Northern Territory
Located on the northern edge of Zabernia. Sprawling grasslands and roaming hills which are home to the diminutive race of troublemaking Runts.
Ravensville
Poor farming village near the Swamp of Lost Souls. The citizens have been held captive by the dragon Tera-thrax.
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Scrub
Partially forested area made of sparse trees and scrub brush. Home to the race of monstrous Blackteeth.
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Swamp of Lost Souls
Foul marshes and home to carnivorous creatures, including the dragon Tera-thrax.
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Terradune
Northern citadel and defense against raiding Minotaurs from the Isle of Karnout. The only settlement with a naval fleet.
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The Point
A castle built upon steep cliffs along the southeastern tip of Zabernia. A time long ago, Knights guarded the stronghold. In recent times, a coalition of wizards conduct notorious experiments within the dungeons of the castle.
The Scar
A great rift into the bowels of the underworld. A source of mystery and exploration for those brave enough to delve into the darkness.
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U-sa Forest
Fabled forest protected by the fairy princess Armistal. Known as a good and safe region of the world until cursed by the resurrection of Prince Amosa. Now known as Phantom Wood.
Wasteland
An arid region of jagged rocks and barren land. Pocketed by acid spewing geysers. Uninhabitable, except for the race of Grunts, who made the land their home.
Waterhole
Large port city on the east coast and home to many roughnecks and vagabonds. Dirty, dangerous but an important thoroughfare for commerce and trade.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANDY ILIFF
From a young age, Andy Iliff loved fantasy, whether doodling cartoons of dragons or writing short stories. He could often be found hiding away in his attic room battling make believe evil doers and dreaming of fantastic quests. But his love of writing did not transition into his own quest to write a novel until he entered his 40’s.
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Andy graduated from the United States Military Academy and spent eight years as an Armor Officer in the Army. During his years of service while stationed in Germany with 4/67 Armor, he had the opportunity to travel Europe where history met his interest in fiction. Beautiful landscapes, fantastic castles and a rich past provided the spark for the imagination to roam. But instead of writing, Andy became a high school teacher after the Army, where he currently teaches mathematics and coaches wrestling in a small town in New Jersey. He is best known among his students for his love of a good story.
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Whether fabricated or real, Andy enjoys spinning a tale in front of his class such as his escapade of stealing the Navy goat, to jumping out of Army planes, to ghost hunting trips and braving dark and mysterious locations. His teaching techniques earned him several Inspirational Teaching Awards and Teacher of the Year Award. He is blessed to be with his wife, and love of his life, since 7th grade, Theresa, and together they raised two incredible adult children, Thatcher and Ashley.
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In his spare time, he enjoys hiking, watching football and having fun playing Dungeons and Dragons, Pathfinder as well as tossing a ball with his dog Champ. As an athlete his entire life, Andy is becoming accustomed to the less physical aspects of writing and has enjoyed the “mental workouts” of writing his first book The Curse of Phantom Wood and looks forward to completing the remaining two books in his Horizon Trilogy.